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Teaching and Learning

Teaching is an interactive process of:

  • gaining and sharing knowledge;
  • valuing the learnings of others; and
  • appreciating the differing contexts in which learning both occurs and is applied.

Effective teaching is about developing learnings in an interactive construction of ideas rather than solely a sharing of learnings.

Community engagement, where teachers actively and purposefully interact with others, is foundational to bringing a reality to their teaching which enables them to appreciate the varying ways in which theory informs reality and reality modifies theory.

There is this coming together, this nexus, between teaching and learning, research and scholarship through engagement with each critically linked to the other…not necessarily in a sequential way but in a continuing interactive process.

An appreciation of the nexus of teaching and learning, research and scholarship is essential to inform teacher education students. Why?

When teachers graduate from ACU they will engage with peoples and communities in the day to day events that influence and impact upon one another’s lives. It is imperative that they come to appreciate the critical interrelatedness of engaging with communities, asking the relevant questions, learning with others and then sharing their gained knowledge.

Source: Howard, P. & Butcher, J. (2007). Community engagement and student learning: making community a core element of teacher education. Paper presented at the 13th biennial conference of The International Study association on Teachers and Teaching, (ISATT), Brock University St Catharines, Ontario Canada

Model for Embedding Community Engagement in Teaching and Learning

A major focus of the University is embedding community engagement into the teaching and learning process.

A model of this process has been developed that incorporates:

  1. Principles for Community Engagement in Learning (PDF, 59kb)
  2. Model of Community Engagement in Learning (PDF, 15kb)
  3. Learning Unit Extract (PDF, 66kb)

Community Engagement Units

» Community Engagement and Transformation (UNIV201)

Community Engagement and Transformation (UNIV201)

Community Engagement and Transformation Introduces students to the concept of community engagement and involves them in a structured experience of community engagement through a placement in a not-for-profit community organisation. From a strong understanding of the principles which ground respectful and mutually beneficial engagement, students will be guided in the use of the Cardijn model of See-Judge-Act as a foundation for their placement. Documenting and reflecting on their experience will be a significant component of the student’s learning.

» Action, Learning and Reflection in the Gap Year (UNIV100)

Action, Learning and Reflection in the Gap Year (UNIV100)

Recognising that significant, transformative learning can often take place outside the classroom, this unit provides a structure for students to integrate action for justice, learning and reflection in the context of a gap year-style community engagement placement, either locally or overseas. Building a strong understanding of the principles which ground respectful and mutually beneficial engagement, students will participate in preparation, placement (either local or overseas), on-going reflection, and debriefing and summative reporting on return home.

Credit for Community Engagement Activities (PDF, 31kb)